Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in Connecticut

Defective roads and sidewalks: a person injured by a defective road or bridge may recover damages from the party bound to keep it in repair, which for local roads is the town or city; written notice describing the injury, its cause, and the time and place must be given to a selectman or the town, city or borough clerk within 90 days, and suit must be brought within two years. A political subdivision may be sued for a defective road or bridge only under this statute. If a municipality adopts an ordinance under the sidewalk snow-and-ice statute, liability for ice and snow on a public sidewalk shifts to the owner or person in control of the abutting land.

Claims against a town, city or borough: a fall or other injury caused by a defective road, bridge or sidewalk requires written notice of the injury, its cause, and the time and place within 90 days, given to a selectman or the town, city or borough clerk, and suit within two years. Other negligence claims against a political subdivision are allowed for negligent acts of its employees, but not for discretionary acts, the condition of natural land or unimproved property, temporary weather conditions on roads without notice, and other listed situations. The sections read set no damage cap.

Claims against the State generally must be filed with the Office of the Claims Commissioner within one year after they accrue (when the injury is sustained or discovered), and no more than three years after the event; the notice must describe the claim and the amount requested and may ask for permission to sue the State. Cities and towns are liable for negligent acts of their employees within the scope of employment, with exceptions such as discretionary acts and wilful misconduct, and immunity does not apply to negligent operation of a town-owned vehicle. Injuries from a defective road or bridge must be claimed under a separate statute: written notice to the town, city or borough within 90 days, and suit within two years.

A lawsuit for personal injury caused by negligence or by reckless or wanton misconduct must be filed within two years from the date the injury is first sustained or discovered (or reasonably should have been discovered), and no more than three years from the date of the act or omission. Other tort claims not covered by that rule (for example, many intentional torts) have three years from the act or omission.